Time to sheath your lightsaber and listen to this podcast folks! This episode I am joined by Justin Perez, a gameplay designer who is best known for his work on games with incredible combat such as Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning and the Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order series. We discussed the current state of the games industry, him appearing in the book Press Reset and the importance of working from home. Furthermore we talk about all things Star Wars, what he pays attention to when it comes to combat, the industry being more transparent about the game development process and we dive into the menace that is Oggdo Bogdo.

Time – Topic Discussed:

0:00 - Intro

02:30 - Guest topic: What did I learn doing this podcast?

07:50 - Press Reset & The closure of 38 Studios

17:10 - You need only a few people to start a game but a lot to finish a game

21:00  - Seeing the release of Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning

24:25 - What is going on in the games industry?

37:20 - How games look like during development

45:00 - Star Wars guidelines

55:00 - Creating a sequel without hitting the reset button

59:40 - Does working on Star Wars games take something away from the excitement?

01:07:30 - Justin’s top 3 Star Wars content

01:09:18 - What makes great combat?

01:14:20 - Remote work

01:22:20 - Things that changed when becoming indie

01:23:50 - Outro

Things mentioned on the show:

Immortals of Aveum

Grounded II: Making The Last of Us Part II

Double Fine Documentary

The Making of STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order - Documentary

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Social Media:

Justin Perez

Justin Perez on Twitter (@thejustinperez)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Twitter (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Twitter (@DorianChou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Instagram (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Instagram (@dorian.chou)

Intro/Outro by FreshMcZone

Artwork by Thomas Martin (Instagram: @thomas.martin.martin)

A brand new episode for all you great murder mystery loving detectives out there is here!

This time I am joined by Andrejs Kļaviņš from Color Gray Games. Andrejs and his brother are the creators of the Case of the Golden Idol, one of the best indie games of recent memory. We discuss making the game, how to find the right difficulty for a puzzle game and how becoming a father impacts your sleep schedule.

Furthermore, we go into detail on designing a word based game for an international audience, cut content of the game and if AI can help to create interesting puzzles.

Time – Topic Discussed:

0:00 - Intro

02:20 - Guest topic: Mobile games

04:50 - What is The Case of the Golden Idol?

06:15 - The starting screen

09:00  - Growing up with point and click adventure games

10:44  - Ramping difficulty

18:10 - Localization

20:50 - Testing and adding smaller features to help with difficulty

24:15 - When is something done?

26:30 - Cut content

29:15  - The prototype of The Case of the Golden Idol

31:15 - The post mortem of the game

35:25 - Using AI for the story of the next game

38:00 - Difficult aspects of game development that gamers underestimate

40:10 - Known developers that reached out to Andrej

43:15 - Latvian culture in the game

46:30 - The importance of disagreement

49:52 - Outside aspects of a game that impacts its success

54:20 - Balancing personal creative satisfaction and creating a commercially viable product

57:30 Getting a dog and a daughter

59:35 - Outro

Things mentioned on the show:

Slice & Dice

Social Media:

Color Gray Games

Andrejs Kļaviņš on Twitter (@AndrejsKlavins)

Color Gray Games on Twitter (@ColorGray7)

The Case of the Golden Idol Homepage

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Twitter (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Twitter (@DorianChou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Instagram (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Instagram (@dorian.chou)

Intro/Outro by FreshMcZone

Artwork by Thomas Martin (Instagram: @thomas.martin.martin)

Let’s get the dust off and finish this year strong! This episode I am joined by Stephen Gilarde, who is a DJ best known for being featured on the Hotline Miami 1 & 2 soundtrack. We discuss why he came back to the M|O|O|N moniker, his side project Was Fret, how Hotline Miami changed his life and his opinions on landlords.

Furthermore, we go into detail on the issue with Spotify, Stephen talks about the only good website on the internet, dealing with social media and we get never before shared insights on some of his work.

Time – Topic Discussed:

0:00 - Intro

03:26 - Guest topic: Baseball

15:24 - The problem with housing

24:48 - The origin behind the name M|O|O|N

29:33  - The beginnings of Hotline Miami

39:32  - After Hotline Miami

43:55 - Being called a video game musician

49:30 - M|O|O|N vs. Was Fret

58:50 - When is something done?

01:02:45 - Spotify and Bandcamp

01:09:30 - Social Media

01:15:50 - Does pineapple belong on pizza?

01:19:50 - Creating music for Trackmania

01:21:55 - How much is Spotify paying its artists?

01:23:03 - Comments on his past works

01:19:29 - Outro

Things mentioned on the show:

Hotline Miami Trailer

M|O|O|N EP 

Particles EP 

Artist: SCATTLE

Artist: Carpenter Brut

Artist: Pertubator

Gamergate

M|O|O|N - Mains hum

Social Media:

M|O|O|N

M|O|O|N on Bandcamp

Was Fret on Bandcamp

Stephen Gilarde on Instagram (@m.o.o.n.m.u.s.i.c)

Stephen Gilarde on Twitter (@m_o_o_n_music)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Twitter (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Twitter (@DorianChou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Instagram (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Instagram (@dorian.chou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Facebook (youmeindustry)

Intro/Outro by FreshMcZone

Artwork by Thomas Martin (Instagram: @thomas.martin.martin)

Let me pitch you an idea. How about you check out this new podcast episode?! This episode I am joined by Masao Kobayashi, who is the co-founder and the studio manager of Cut to Bits. We discuss growing up in Japan, pitching games to publishers and cultural differences.

Furthermore, we go into detail on community management, learning from mistakes and Masao shares his three essential manga recommendations.

Time – Topic Discussed:

0:00 - Intro

03:50 - The What else do you do?-podcast

09:30 - Doing the podcast for himself

12:23 - Splitting the podcast

16:50  - Growing up in Japan

22:15  - Cultural differences

29:20 - Pitching a video game

35:50 - Community management

40:03 - Food he misses from Japan

41:55 - The indie scene of Japan

48:30 - Manga recommendations

51:40 - Outro

Things mentioned on the show:

What else do you do? - podcast

How Asian do you feel - podcast

The Farewell by Lulu Wang

Asobu Japan

Manga recommendations:

Say Hello To Black Jack

Ushio & Tora

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

What else do you do? - Podcast Episode 45. Wait, you wanted to be a nun? (Rebekah Valentine Interview)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY - Rebekah Valentine Interview

Social Media:

Cut To Bits

Cut To Bits on Twitter (@CutToBits)

Homepage of Cut To Bits

Masao Kobayashi

Masao Kobayashi on Twitter (@MegaMasao) 

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Twitter (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Twitter (@DorianChou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Instagram (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Instagram (@dorian.chou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Facebook (youmeindustry)

Intro/Outro by FreshMcZone

Artwork by Thomas Martin (Instagram: @thomas.martin.martin)

Haha! (imagine this being said in a Micky Mouse voice) This episode I am joined by AJ, who is the founder and CEO of Dlala Studios. We discuss their upcoming title called Disney Illusion Island and what it is like to run a 35 people studio. Furthermore, we get into the design decisions behind making great coop games, what keeps AJ up at night and with AJ being a Disney expert I had to ask about Goofy wearing pants while Pluto isn't.

Time – Topic Discussed:

0:00 - Intro

03:08 - Guest topic: Being blessed by a pug

06:10 - Guest topic: Bringing the band back together

08:30 - Revealing Disney Illusion Island on D23

12:22  - Interacting with Disney on the game

20:25  - Hard lessons learned during Battletoads

24:31 - Learning how to run a studio

29:30 - Dealing with responsibility 

32:00 - Winning UK’s Best Boss and Best Places to Work in 2022 from gamesindustry.biz

36:08 - How problems can arise in running a studio

44:50  - Feeding the beast

50:03 - Point and Click Adventures

52:30 - Disney Goes Classical

54:12 - Surviving the loss of a 3 million dollar deal

01:01:28 - The golden rules of great co-op

01:05:04 - Looking at reviews

01:07:30 - Lessons learned

01:19:29 - Outro

Things mentioned on the show:

Parsec

Disney Illusion Island - World Premiere Trailer

The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company by Robert Iger

Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull

That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea by Marc Randolph

The Double Fine Documentary

Noclip - Video Game Documentaries

Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Pop Culture by David Kushner

Immerse by Lifeformed (Music of the Double Fine Documentary)

Disney Goes Classical

How Dlala survived the loss of a $3m Disney deal by James Batchelor

Social Media:

Dlala Studios

Dlala Studios on Twitter (@dlalastudios)

Homepage of Dlala Studios

AJ Grand-Scrutton

AJ Grand-Scrutton on Twitter (@dnost) 

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Twitter (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Twitter (@DorianChou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Instagram (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Instagram (@dorian.chou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Facebook (youmeindustry)

Intro/Outro by FreshMcZone

Artwork by Thomas Martin (Instagram: @thomas.martin.martin)

Welcome all you cute foxes! This episode I am joined by Lifeformed and Janice Kwan, the composing duo behind the outstanding soundtrack of the indie darling Tunic. We discuss their working process, how a vacation to Taiwan became a permanent residence change and what breakfast essentials nourished them to compose a 60 track soundtrack. 

Furthermore, we discuss what it was like to work 7 years on a soundtrack, how they both come up with track titles and I get to lose a couple of potential sponsorships while asking about their hardware issues over the years.

Time – Topic Discussed:

0:00 - Intro

03:50 - Guest topic: Convenient store experiences

10:53 - The process of coming up with a song

23:45 - Warm up for making music

25:03  - Coming up with music ideas

28:41  - Finishing a track vs. working on multiple at the same time

30:10 - Going back to older tracks an re-doing them

35:25 - Swapping tracks

38:00 - Being worried about the game

41:00  - Coming up with new music

45:25 - How the environment impacted the music

48:20 - Being inspired by Chrono Trigger

50:55 - Coming up with track titles

53:35 - The food that is now associated with Tunic

54:40 - Finding your own voice

56:42 - When is a track done?

01:00:25 - Stopping yourself from crunching 

01:04:57 - Dealing with hardware problems

01:09:50 - Mixing

01:12:50 - Writing instinctual 

01:15:49 - Doing remixes

01:19:29 - Outro

Things mentioned on the show:

Podcast episode with Felix Kramer

The Tunic Soundtrack

Tunic Shop Theme (My Favourite Customer)

Redwood Colonade track of the Tunic Soundtrack

Secret of the Forest track of the Chrono Trigger Soundtrack

Janice Kwan x Gardener EP

Ocean Glaze track of the Tunic Soundtrack

Social Media:

Lifeformed

Lifeformed on Twitter (@lifeformed)

Lifeformed on Bandcamp

Lifeformed on YouTube (Lifeformed)

Lifeformed’s Homepage

Janice Kwan

Janice Kwan on Twitter (@alsojanice) 

Janice Kwan on YouTube (Janice Kwan)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Twitter (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Twitter (@DorianChou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Instagram (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Instagram (@dorian.chou)

Intro/Outro by FreshMcZone

Artwork by Thomas Martin (Instagram: @thomas.martin.martin)

Take your seat everyone, class is about to start! This episode I am joined by Richard Lemarchand, professor in the USC Games program at the University of Southern California to discuss his recently released book called A Playful Production Process! We discussed the making of his book, what it was like to work with industry legends, how a new generation of video game makers are tackling game design and much more. Furthermore, we discuss the hero’s journey, how Richard felt watching the Uncharted movie and I get to ask about the essential snacks he is missing out on since he moved to the US. 

Time – Topic Discussed:

0:00 - Intro

02:29 - Guest topic: The books by Octavia Butler

08:52 - a playful design process 

19:49 - Guest topic: The making of the book 

21:52  - How did the design approach of students change over time?

21:56  - How has the perception of game development education changed?

24:48 - Seeing his students find successes on their own 

29:00 - The change in perception in video game education

32:50  - The Meadow VR

36:20 - Seeing Uncharted sequels and the Uncharted movie

41:44 - Questioning the Hero’s Journey

47:14 - Quiet moments vs. big showpiece scenes

52:30 - Providing feedback without demoralizing the receiver

56:12 - Snacks Richard can’t get anymore

57:20 - Lessons learned

01:06:58 - Outro

Things mentioned on the show:

Kindred by Octavia Butler

Parable of the Sower by Ocativa Butler

Parable of the Talents by Ocatvia Butler

Xenogenesis Series by Octavia Butler

Scary Mary Trailer

On Writing by Steven King

Game Feel by Steve Swink

Heirloom by Abby Sherlock and Kathryn Yu

The Meadow VR 

The Klaxo Radio Hour

Martzi’s Homepage

The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler

loudQUIETloud: A Film About the Pixies

Social Media:

Richard Lemarchand

Richard Lemarchand on Twitter (@rich_lem)

Richard Lemarchand on Instagram (rich_lem)

The homepage of A Playful Production Process

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Twitter (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Twitter (@DorianChou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Instagram (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Instagram (@dorian.chou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Facebook (youmeindustry)

Intro/Outro by FreshMcZone

Artwork by Thomas Martin (Instagram: @thomas.martin.martin)

BREAKING NEWS…AWARD WINNING REPORTER JOINS PODCAST! This episode I had the pleasure of welcoming Rebekah Valentine for another episode. We discussed her reports on work culture in the games industry, what her job entails and how to build a trustworthy relationship with sources. Furthermore, we discuss our favorite food related memories, the state of journalism in the industry and I get to learn more about the ins and outs of doing a food related podcast.

Time – Topic Discussed:

0:00 - Intro

03:18 - Guest topic: What is the best meal we have ever eaten?

11:46 - What does her day look like?

19:49 - What happens when breaking news comes in?

20:20  - The ethics of reporting and boycotting

23:56  - How do you become a trustworthy reporter?

27:50  - How IGN became known for great reporting

33:08 - Making mistakes

39:42 - The relationship between an editor and a writer

42:47 - Bringing in personal touches into writing

48:58 - The state of games journalism in 2022

53:17 - Patreon for Journalism

58:10 - Journalism 101

01:05:58 - Undertale

01:10:10- The Cozywood Kitchenette 

01:17:30 - The Metric System

01:18:45  - Pies

01:12:45  - Lessons learned 

01:25:20  - Outro

Things mentioned on the show:

Rebekah’s interview with Swen Vincke about Baldur's Gate 3

IGN reporting on the issues at Activision Blizzard

Rebekah’s reporting on Global Step

Rebekah’s reporting on Scavengers Studio

Rebekah’s reporting on the studio culture at Bungie 

Investigating Three Indie Superstars Accused of Emotional Abuse by People Make Games

Inside The Culture Of Sexism At Riot Games by Cecilia D'Anastasio

The one year anniversary of Defector

Social Media:

Rebekah Valentine 

Rebekah Valentine on Twitter (@duckvalentine)

Rebekah Valentine’s work at IGN

The Cozywood Kitchenette Podcast

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Twitter (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Twitter (@DorianChou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Instagram (@youmeindustry)

Dorian on Instagram (@dorian.chou)

YOU ME AND THE INDUSTRY on Facebook (youmeindustry)

Intro/Outro by FreshMcZone

Artwork by Thomas Martin (Instagram: @thomas.martin.martin)